For decades, the outdoor industry has celebrated innovation through synthetics—lighter, stronger, and more technical fabrics made from petroleum-based materials.
But as we grapple with the environmental costs of producing many synthetic products, is a shift underway?
Wool, waxed cotton, hemp, and other natural materials might be making a comeback —not as a nostalgic throwback, but as brands and individuals innovate with them, proving they can be high-performing, sustainable alternatives to synthetic fibers.
One of the people leading that charge is Patrick Clark, founder of Lucky Sheep and author of the book A Rewilder’s Guide to Outdoor Adventure.
Patrick has developed a full backpacking kit made almost entirely from natural fibers—with a base weight of just 20 pounds. From lightweight wool sleeping bags to waxed canvas backpacks, his designs challenge the idea that performance has to come at the cost of sustainability.
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Lucky Sheep
Website: https://www.woolsleepingbag.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckysheepgear/